Lossless fragile watermarking algorithm in compressed domain for multiview video coding

Abstract

The hierarchical B picture (HBP) prediction structure is a typical coding scheme used for multiview video coding (MVC). This paper proposes a fragile watermarking algorithm for HBP-based multiview video coding. B_DIRECT_16 × 16 and B_SKIP are two types of macroblocks used for H.264/AVC coding, and are respectively generated in the DIRECT and SKIP prediction modes. Modification of the syntactic elements enables the watermark to be embedded while the B_SKIP macroblock is converted into the B_DIRECT_16 × 16 macroblock. To authenticate the integrity of the multiview video content, the watermark is generated from the content-based features of the cross-view of the multiview video bitstream. Experimental implementation revealed that the structural similarity index (SSIM) of the video quality was not affected by the proposed watermarking scheme. Compared to current algorithms, the proposed algorithm has a higher embedding capacity, produces less bitrate increase, and is less complex. It satisfies the transparency, bitrate stability, fragility, and real-time performance requirements of multiview video authentication.